Lynchburg VA vs Meridian ID — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Lynchburg
79,255
Meridian
124,865
Meridian +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lynchburg
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Lynchburg
4.6%
Meridian
4.8%
Meridian +
White
Lynchburg
62.2%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Lynchburg
27.7%
Lynchburg +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Lynchburg
2.2%
Lynchburg +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Lynchburg
5.0%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Lynchburg
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 79,255 | 124,865 | Meridian + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.4 | 37.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 4.6% | 4.8% | Meridian + |
| White | 62.2% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 27.7% | 1.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Hispanic | 5.0% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lynchburg
$59,808
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Lynchburg
$30,004
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lynchburg
$69,581
Lynchburg +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Lynchburg
5.0%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Lynchburg
17.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lynchburg
38.5%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,808 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,004 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $57,074 | Lynchburg + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.5% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lynchburg
$264,994
Lynchburg +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Lynchburg
49.1%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,994 | $534,732 | Lynchburg + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.1% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Meridian
251
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
1726
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 251 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
37.1%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
11.9%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lynchburg
19.4%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
9.1%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lynchburg
12.9%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 17.6% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lynchburg
41.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lynchburg
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Lynchburg, VA | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 18.5 min | 23.6 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while lynchburg offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,994. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 251 in Meridian. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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